This looks like so much fun!!! I wish we could pull together 5 from Cedar Rapids. If I could convince one guy to come out of his family/kids induced hiatus and then pick up one solid gal... we'd have one heck of a COED team!

He made several points on ways to work at revitalizing our appeal... and "team skating" was #6

6) What is missing altogether in inline right now is the notion of team.
Sure there are a few good teams, but the main qualifier is "few".
We need to create a team event, one where being part of a team actually matters and means more than wearing the same skinsuit.
For example, instead of the combined event why not having a team event?
It would be more unique and change the perception that inline is pretty much an individual sport and, actually a lonely one at that, if you have about 100 skaters sparse over a 8 miles loop or something like that.

So, is Northshore doing a "team race" in 2016? I haven't checked the website.

And, definitely not taking credit, but I recently mentioned team skating as a way to revive Chicago.

One of the absolute best events in North America is the Montreal 24-Hour. If you are lucky enough to go to that event, I can almost guarantee it will be one of the most fun races you ever compete in.

Another great event was the Metrodome race. I actually hated skating in the Metrodome, but being able to work with 4 or 5 other people to achieve a common goal was very rewarding.

So, I think this is a great idea...if in fact, team skating is happening. I do think it's difficult when you have events that are mixed though...meaning individual entries, along with team entries. At Duluth, many of the top skaters (open, master, vet, etc) are going to opt to go solo. So, team skating probably won't take off in the elite groups. But, I see it working in the rec / advanced waves. I think the events that truly shine with team skating are the ones that have the team element as the primary focus (again, Metrodome, Montreal). You could skate solo at Metrodome or skate solo at Montreal, but the heart and focus of the races revolved around the team events.

"Teams" ... I think they've always been one of the best kept secrets of NSIM.

This year they sent out emailing mentioning teams. edit: never been for pro/elite

for a while I've seen that they've mentioned on the NSIM website the options for company, organization, club, family teams, etc. I've not hung around for awards and so do not know if any of them get recognition.

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Race Teams/Skate Clubs (Inline Full Marathon)

Team Divisions: Male, Female, and Co-Ed

*Co-Ed must have at least 2 Male and 2 Female, and a total of 5 skaters or more.

Any Race Team, Skate Club or other formal or informal group of skaters can create a team to compete in this Male and Female division. Requirements are:
1.The total times from the top 5 skaters in each team will be combined to compete for an award
2.No Elite skaters are eligible for this award

Any Race Team, Skate Club or other formal or informal group of skaters can create a team to compete in this Co-Ed division. Requirements are:
1.Two Male and Two Female skaters must be included in the total times
2.The total times from the top 5 skaters in each team will be combined to compete for an award
3.No Elite skaters are eligible for this award

RULES

All Teams must submit a roster identifying all members and the Team Captain(contact person). Only non-elite skaters may participate in the Team Challenge.